Universal Suffrage or the Scum UppermostGeorge Cruikshank · 1819

  • Creation date1819
  • MuseumPeoples History Museum

George Cruikshank (1792 – 1878)

George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was a renowned British caricaturist & book illustrator, dubbed the 'modern Hogarth'. Famous for his work with Dickens, social satire, and temperance illustrations. Explore his impactful art!

Peoples History Museum (Manchester, United Kingdom)

Explore Britain's social history at the People’s History Museum! Discover the struggles & triumphs of working people, democracy, and labor movements through captivating exhibits.

In 1819 around 2% of Britain’s population had the right to vote and Manchester did not have its own Member of Parliament (MP). Wages had halved since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and rising food prices left many unable to afford basic foods like bread. The people wanted a voice and the demand for representation in parliament was growing. This engraving was printed one month before the Peterloo Massacre. It was designed to warn of the dangers of giving more people the vote and potential revolution. The monster in the print represents radical reform; it stands victorious over the cherished British institutions of the arts, royalty and religion. Hostility and fear was growing amongst those loyal to the government and opposed to reform. On 21 July 1819 the Manchester magistrates announced the formation of a Loyal Association to combat ‘the attempts of seditious men to overturn the Constitution and to involve us in the miseries of a Revolution’. Part of the national commemorations marking 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre, this object featured in the Disrupt? Peterloo and Protest exhibition at People’s History Museum in 2019 to tell the story of Peterloo and highlights its relevance today.

About this artwork

  • Title: Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost
  • Artist: George Cruikshank
  • Year: 1819
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Where to see it: Peoples History Museum
  • Color palette: Neutrals
  • Color intensity: Vivid

Questions & Answers

Which artist is "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" attributed to?

"Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" is attributed to George Cruikshank.

Where can I see the original "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" by George Cruikshank?

You can see the original "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" at the Peoples History Museum, Manchester, United Kingdom.

When was "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" made?

"Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" by George Cruikshank was created in 1819.

Can "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" by George Cruikshank, held at the Peoples History Museum, be legally reproduced?

The original "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" is at the Peoples History Museum, and the work is in the public domain - its copyright has expired.

At what age did George Cruikshank make "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost"?

George Cruikshank was 27 years old when creating "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" in 1819. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1792.

Is "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" more bright or more dark overall?

The recorded values for "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" by George Cruikshank are: brilliant brightness, luminous luminance.

What luminance does "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" by George Cruikshank have?

The colors of "Universal Suffrage or the Scum Uppermost" show a luminous luminance.

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